Oriental - Thai Gold

Gilt bronze Buddha Despite the fact that gold is not found in abundance in Thailand, a wealth of gold artefacts have been produced.

The most popular use of gold was in the form of gold leaf applied to Buddha images to promote spiritual well-being.

The characteristic Thai art of overlaying black lacquer with gold leaf to create intricately detailed figures and scenes dates from the 17th and 18th centuries. The technique used by Thai artisans involved several delicate processes and required great skill.

Modern craft workers simulate this style with delicate gold paintwork of animals or dancers on black lacquer bowls and plates.
 

 19th century gilt bronze Buddha

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Oriental - Thai Bronzes

The Thais learned the art of bronze casting from the Indians. During the early centuries A.D., Indian culture totally dominated Thailand, and indeed most of South Asia, bringing with it Hindu and, later, Buddhist religion and art.

In Thailand, the Indian Buddha image was influenced by Khmer and Burmese art to emerge as a unique style in the Sukhotai period (13th to 15th centuries). Most of the Sukkhotai images are seated and almost always the right hand is in the bhumispara mudra ("Calling the Earth to Witness" gesture).

 Bronze Buddha

Sukhotai sculptors created a few reclining and standing Buddhas but their outstanding achievement was the Walking Buddha. This figure, with its very long arms and diaphanous robes, appears almost to float rather than walk.

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Oriental - Thai Ceramics

The ceramics industry in Thailand began early in the Sukhotai period (around 1350) when potters migrated south to escape the Mongol invasion of Sung Dynasty China. They congregated near Sawankalok.

The Sawankalok pots were early examples of mass production. The items to be fired were stacked in kilns with metal plates separating the various layers. These left gouges in the upper surface of each item. Five of these marks can be clearly seen on most Sawankalok pots.

 Sawankalok pot
19th century Thai vase The most numerous of these pieces are buff coloured with symbolic wheel designs ("chakras") or single or paired fish. Many plates were produced in this style, as well as celadon and other wares, but the most attractive pieces are small buff jars with whimsical designs.

Today, the Thai ceramics industry produces items which are more similar to the Chinese export ware of the past 100 years.
 

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Oriental - Thailand

Thai gilt wood BodhisatvaThailand has had its own unique culture since the 13th century when the Thai people broke away from the Khmer empire. Until the 16th century there were two distinct kingdoms in what is now Thailand. The Lanna kingdom in the north and the Thai in the south.

Thai art is divided into periods named after the capitals of these kingdoms. The Lanna kingdom had its capital at Chiengsaen and later at Chiang Mei.

The Thai people established their first capital at Sukhothai. It was during the Sukhothai period that the most characteristic Thai ceramics and sculptures were produced.

In 1350, the capital moved to Ayutthaya. The dominant art form of the four hundred years of the Ayutthaya period was bronze sculpture, particularly Buddhas.

Ayutthaya was destroyed by Burmese armies in 1767 and the capital moved briefly to Thorn Buri and then the current site, Bangkok.

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